On30 Models -- Physical Dimensions

** NOTE: The data on this page is being populated as we complete evaluations of the various models

In any discussion of On30 models, one of the topics is usually physical size of the various models and how they compare. The table below provides the basic information for the common ready-to-run engines available.

On30 Locomotive Dimensions (including other Powered Equipment)

Manufacturer & Model	Length	Length Over Couplers	Width	Height
Bachmann On30 14-Ton Two-Truck Stearns-Heisler	144 mm / 5.65 in	160 mm / 6.28 in	46 mm / 1.78 in	70 mm / 2.74 in
Bachmann On30 T-Boiler Two-Truck Shay
Bachmann On30 28-Ton Two-Truck Climax
Bachmann On30 2-6-6-2 Articulated
Bachmann On30 2-4-4-2 Articulated
Bachmann On30 Baldwin Forney 2-4-4
Bachmann On30 Baldwin 2-8-0 Outside Frame Consolidation
Bachmann On30 Baldwin 4-6-0
Bachmann On30 4-4-0 American Inside Frame
Bachmann On30 4-4-0 Modern Outside Frame
Bachmann On30 Porter 0-4-2
Bachmann On30 Porter 0-4-2
Bachmann On30 2-6-0 Mogul
Bachmann On30 Closed Streetcar
Bachmann On30 Railbus & Trailer
Bachmann On30 RailTruck
Bachmann On30 Whitcomb 50-Ton Center-Cab Diesel
Model Power HO Plymouth MDT Switcher

On30 Rolling Stock Dimensions

Manufacturer & Model	Length	Length Over Couplers	Width	Height

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Bachmann Spectrum On30 14-Ton Two-Truck Stearns-Heisler

The Stearns-Heisler continues Bachmann's collection of On30 geared steam locomotives along with their On30 Shay and On30 Climax. This 14-ton two-truck engine was an early Heisler, manufactured from the late 1890s.

The Heisler locomotive was the last variant of the three major types of geared steam locomotive. Its designer and manufacturers claimed it was the fastest of the three but retained the low-speed hauling capability. As such it was used in mining and logging/lumbering industries as well as other places which required heavy hauling. From a 1923 Heisler marketing catalog:

"Why you can haul at least 30% more per ton of locomotive with the modern Heisler"

Bachmann has delivered a DCC-equipped model with the fine detailing expected in the Spectrum® line, along with 16-bit Tsunami® plug-and-play sound capability. (Separate-sale Bachmann Item No. 44953, Stearns-Heisler Sound Module, required for sound on board performance)
Features include:

• DCC-equipped for speed, direction and lighting control
• Sound ready with factory-installed speaker
• Dual-mode NMRA-compliant decoder
• Die-cast construction
• Coreless motor
• All-gear drive
• Enclosed gearbox
• Heavy-duty universals and driveshafts
• Prototypically powered trucks and gearboxes
• Constant soft white LED lighting
• Blackened brass handrails and piping
• E-Z Mate® Mark II couplers
• Choice of three stacks and optional oil bunker included
• Contoured wheel spokes per prototype
• Plug-and-play sound-ready (Tsunami® sound module available separately)

Bachmann On30 Stearns-Heisler Model Information:

Manfacturer: Bachmann	Release Date: 2013
MSRP (USD): $419-$450	Catalogs: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Length: 144 mm / 5.65 in	Weight: 358 g / 12.6 oz
Length over couplers: 160 mm / 6.28 in	Within On30 Clearance Gauge: Yes
Width: 46 mm / 1.78 in	Height: 70 mm / 2.74 in
Front Coupler: Bachmann E-Z Mate® Mark II	Rear Coupler: Bachmann E-Z Mate® Mark II
Front Coupler Height (note 2): Pass	Rear Coupler Height (note 2): Pass
Recommended Radius: 15 in or greater	Reported Minimum Radius (note 4):
NMRA Conformance Warrant: No	NMRA S-4 Wheels (note 2): Pass
NMRA S-2 Couplers (note 2): Pass	NMRA S-9 Electrical:
NMRA S-7 Clearance (note 3): Pass	RP-25 Wheel Contour: no statement
RP-9.1.1 Electrical Interface and Wire Color Code:
Power Modes: DC, NMRA DCC	Interface Socket: Yes
DCC: Bachmann Dual mode DC/DCC on board	DCC Sound: Optional - Bachmann (Tsunami) Sound Decoder Item No. 44953, MSRP $129
Power pickup: All wheel	DCC Sound control on DC power: Automatic engine sounds, only (no user control on DC)
Drawbar Pull (note 1): TBC	Primary Construction Material: Diecast
Model Evaluated: Bachmann Item No. 28803	Evaluation Date: May 2018
Fidelity to the Prototype: Other than being a very small Heisler, it is judged excellent!
Roadnames: Item No. 28801, Colorado Mining Co. #4 Item No. 28802, Painted & unlettered - Black Item No. 28803, Painted & unlettered - Black with white pinstripes & running board stripes Item No. 28804, Painted & unlettered - Black with red windows + white running board stripes + white tires Item No. 28805, Greenbriar & Big Run Lumber Co. #5 Item No. 28806, Midwest Quarry & Mining Co. #4
Notes: Measured using Micro-Mark 84708 Digital Pull Meter Measured using NMRA HO Standards Gauge Measured using NMRA On30 Clearance Gauge May require adjustments to run through this radius For parts, contact Bachmann Trains or shop online at the Bachmann Online Store

Bachmann On30 Stearns-Heisler: Tune-ups, Updates and Conversions

• Foothill Model Works - Re-gauging Stearns-Heisler from On30 to On3
• banta modelworks T-2133 Wood Cab for Bachmann Heisler - also available from Micro-Mark and some local hobby shops and mail order dealers
• Backwoods Miniatures Conversion Kit for the Bachmann On30 Heisler
• Adding a Keep Alive to your Bachmann Heisler - Larry Puckett

Bachmann On30 Stearns-Heisler: Additional Articles of Interest

• Bachmann Tsunami® (SoundTraxx) Heisler Sound Reference
• Operating your Bachmann DCC Sound equipped Locomotive with a Traditional DC Power Pack
• Operating your Bachmann Tsunami Sound-Equipped Locomotive with DCC
• Bachmann On30 Stearns-Heisler Sound Module Instructions
• Bachmann On30 Stearns-Heisler Parts Reference 1
• Bachmann On30 Stearns-Heisler Parts Reference 2
• Bachmann On30 Stearns-Heisler Parts Reference 3

Heisler Locomotives: Books for further reading 

Heisler Locomotive Works. Heisler Geared Locomotives Catalog. Erie, Penna.: Heisler Locomotive Works, 1923, 38 pages.

About this book from BarnesandNoble.com: In 1892 Charles Heisler received a patent for a new kind of geared locomotive. Equipped with twin canted cylinders, the engine utilized a drive shaft to power outboard axles and connecting rods to power the inboard axles. As a result of this 'vee-twin' arrangement, the Heisler was one of the fastest geared steam locomotives, providing more power with lower operating costs. Over 600 Heislers were produced from the 1890's until 1941, when the Heisler Locomotive Works closed its doors. This reproduction of the company's illustrated catalog dates from the 1920's. It shows the full line of Heisler products and presents a compelling argument for their use.

Kline, B.F.G., Jr. The Heisler Locomotive, 1891-1941. Kline, 1982, 199 pages.

About this book from BookFinder.com: Fascinating and handsomely done authoritative history of the Heisler geared locomotive. Chapters include a biography of Charles L. Heisler, a description of the Stearns Manufacturing Co., the Heisler Locomotive Works, the Whitney Engineering Co., the origins, development and refinement of the Heisler, the purpose, distribution and performance of the Heisler, competitors of the Heisler, the construction of a Heisler, Heisler's last years, detailed scale drawings, builder lists, and an owner list. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos. With bibliography and index. Some copies of the book contain an Addenda and Errata Sheet with list of existing Heislers as of November, 1982.

Heisler Locomotives: Other references

• Geared Steam Locomotive Works' Heisler pages
• The Borate & Daggett Railroad

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On30 Detailed Product Information section launched!

We're pleased to announce the launch of a blog section devoted to detailed On30 Product Information. This will be focused on On30 or On30-applicable products that we feel will be of interest to a significant number of On30 modelers and potential modelers.

The new section can be found in the menu bar BELOW the Blog header. It's called PRODUCT INFORMATION and features:

• a Suppliers and Manufacturers listing which contain links to their web sites where available
• a link to our Minimum Radius information page
• a series of sub-dropdowns for specific manufacturers and then specific products from that manufacturer

The detailed pages for specific products will features these general sections (not all sections will apply to every type of product):

• picture with product overview
• Model information -- detail product specifications
• Tune-ups, Upgrades and Conversions of note
• Additional Articles of interest
• Books for further reading on the prototype of the model
• Additional Online sources ojf information about the Prototype

Also where we have electronic copies of product information sheets (manuals, reference material, etc.) those will be available from the Detailed Product Information page.
Our first product in this section will be the Bachmann Trains 14-Ton Two-Truck Stearns-Heisler geared locomotive. Watch for it to appear in the next few days!

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On30 Powered Equipment Minimum Radius

When I initially was considering modeling in On30, one of the first areas of research was the minimum radius required to operate the various commercial products. I am modeling in a very small space (102 inches x 30 inches, or approximately 260cm x 76cm) and I wanted to ensure the commercial On30 products of interest would be a reasonable fit. Around the internet I found a number of pieces of data. From these various web sites/pages and other sources, I put together the following table that I use as a reference -- perhaps it will help other modelers as well. Below the table you will find links to some of the major sources I used to assemble the table -- in a few cases, I have made adjustments based on my experience and/or data from other sources not listed.

Also please note that there is a separate entry coming on this blog that provides minimum radius information on On30 powered equipment kits that use HO mechanisms as donor chassis for On30 powered equipment.

Manfacturer	Model	Manufacturer Recommended Radius	Reported to Operate at (may need adjustments)
Bachmann	On30 2-6-0 Mogul	18" or greater	12"
Bachmann	On30 0-4-0 Porter	12" or greater	6"
Bachmann	On30 0-4-2 Porter	15" or greater	9"
Bachmann	On30 2-4-4-2 Articulated	18" or greater
Bachmann	On30 2-6-6-2 Articulated	18" or greater	18"
Bachmann	On30 Baldwin 4-6-0	22" or greater	17"
Bachmann	On30 14-ton Two-Truck Stearns Heisler	15" or greater
Bachmann	On30 1890's 4-4-0 American Inside Frame	18" or greater	15"
Bachmann	On30 Modern 4-4-0 American Outside Frame	18" or greater	15"
Bachmann	On30 2-4-4 Forney Inside/Outside Frame	22" or greater	18"
Bachmann	On30 28-Ton Two-Truck Class B Climax	18" or greater	12"
Bachmann	On30 Two Truck Shay	18" or greater	15"
Bachmann	On30 2-8-0 Outside Frame	22" or greater	12"-18"
Bachmann	On30 0-6-0	18" or greater
Bachmann	On30 Rail Truck	18" or greater	10"
Bachmann	On30 Rail Bus & Trailer	18" or greater	18"
Bachmann	On30 Closed Street Car	15" or greater	3"
Bachmann	On30 0-4-0 Side Rod Gas Mechanical	12" or greater	6"
Bachmann	On30 Whitcomb 50-ton Center Cab	15" or greater
Accucraft Trains	On30 Plymouth Diesel Switcher 0-4-0 Model No: AM55-013 (unpainted, yellow)	6" or greater	6"
Accucraft Trains	On30 Diesel Switcher 0-4-0 Model No: AM55-033 (D&RGW #50) AM55-034 (Sumpter Valley RR #101)	6" or greater	6"
Broadway Limited	On30 C-16 2-8-0	18" or greater	15"
Precision Scale Co (MMI)	On30 K27 2-8-2	26" or greater	26"

(more entries coming)

Where to find additional information:

• On30 Practical Minimum Radius Guide (2009) - although now dated, this document has the most comprehensive information that this blogger has found.
• On30 Scale Minimum Radius - Locomotives & Rolling Stock (October 2014) - on FineTrains blog

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